OAUSA Net - March 9. 2017 - Cold Weather Camping

[toms]

Vehicle Prep
As we have said many times, most of our activities are vehicle dependent travel. As such you want to make sure your vehicle will not let you down in cold weather.

Cold weather will find any weakness in the system. High on the list to check, maintain or replace Include: Battery, Antifreeze, tires, working vehicle heater, window washer fluid, deep floor mats, lubed door locks and an ice scraper.

Your vehicle may also be your only link for information and help. If you have cell service, the car battery may be the best source to recharge it.
But don’t rely on cell service. Have a mobile ham radio. Use it also to listen to the weather forecast on NOOA weather radio. Memorize this one frequency – 162.400. That is the first of 7 NOAA channels. Tune up in 25MH increments until you find a strong station.
Make it a habit to listen to the weather several times a day while you are out!

Of course, you have a lot of gear with you since you have all your camping stuff. However, you need to anticipate the possibility of having to slog thru bad road conditions or being stuck and stranded in your vehicle. So, bring tire chains, snow shovel, and recovery gear. Bring a flag to put on your vehicle if it is stranded in a snow bank. An Anti-Gravity battery is handy if you must jump start yourself. And consider dual batteries. In lieu of the two aforementioned items throw in the jumper cables.

Another issue to watch out for. If the weather is in transition from wet to cold, don’t set the emergency brake overnight until you know everything has dried out. Have you ever had an e-brake freeze on?

[DaveK]

Great and valuable topic. I understand Keller has been "down" this week due to power outage. Effect on today's NET? Also, I'd like to enter a time-saving early checkin if possible. Thanks much..as always, looking forward to the NET!

N7AJJ - Dale

Dale

Thanks!

I heard earlier about Keller, but at least at this time, we are still planning on doing the net. If it remains down at net time, we will postpone it to the following week. Stay tuned!

[Jeff-OAUSA]

Please check me in for the Cold Weather Camping Net!

WD6USA - Jeff

PS - I recently sprang for a Springbar tent, and expect delivery soon . Besides Dave's rave review, the video below convinced me that there was a tent that could take some snow and wind AND in which I could stand up inside! Springbar filled that bill...though I won't be backpacking with this tent!

Springbar in Wind: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-0bZoGm9Is

Springbar in Snow:

Springbar in Snow.jpg (33.5 KiB) Viewed 613 times

Springbar in Snow 2.jpg (142.3 KiB) Viewed 613 times

[JackM-KK6WXQ]

Looking forward to the net!

Please check me in!
Jack M. KK6WXQ

[JackM-KK6WXQ]

The Little Buddy Heater
This is a terrific little portable propane heater! You know how much I like to keep things small (so they will fit in my Jeep) and this 3,800 BTU Liquid Propane heater connects directly to a 1 lb. cylinder and is the perfect solution for heating small enclosed spaces like a 10 x 10 SpringBar tent (100 sq. ft.). The included base takes up little space and the integrated handle makes this heater an easy one to transport. I know many of us would be concerned about Carbon Monoxide but with the Oxygen Depletion Sensor (ODS) and accidental tip-over safety shut-off, I have never had an issue. Although I do leave a vent open just a bit to be safe.

I have the Big Buddy Heater that I use in my wall tent along with a wood burning stove but the smaller Mr. Heater Products are really terrific.

• 3,800 BTU per hour
• For use with propane gas
• Heats up to 95 sq. ft.
• One button ignition on function
• 8in round stand uses little floor space
• Accidental tip-over safety shut-off
• Automatic low oxygen shut-off system (ODS)
• Connects directly to one 1 lb. disposable propane cylinder
• Quiet, clean, odor-free operation

[JackM-KK6WXQ]

Cold Weather Sleeping Bag:

While a down sleeping bag is the ultimate (and L.L. Bean has one that is really nice) they are really proud of those things! At over $350 it can be a bit of a budget buster. I highly recommend the L.L. Bean Bag and while they are spendy, I am sure the value is there.

A really terrific alternative is from Teton Sports
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001TY8UKS?ref=emc_b_5_i&th=1

I have one of these Teton Sports sleeping bags and I love it. Just a tiny bit heavier and just an inch or two larger when packed than the Down Bag alternative, It is a great trade off for the price difference. Plus this Teton bag is rated for MINUS 25 Degree F.

Here is the write up from Amazon:
• WARM AND COZY ALL SEASON BAG: Adjustable shoulder and full-length zipper baffles eliminate drafts; Size 90x36 inches, fifteen inches longer than most bags; Half-circle mummy style hood with drawstring keeps pillow or head off the ground, camp pad, or cot surface
• HIGH-QUALITY DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION: Sturdy diamond ripstop shell is durable, easy to pack, and stands up to years of use; Double-layer construction for entire width and length of bag increases warmth and durability
• CAMPING GEAR ADD-ONS AVAILABLE: Designed to accompany many other TETON Sports products for an out of this world base camp experience; Right and left-hand zippers let you zip two Celsius XL -32C/-25F bags together, or use on its own for a cozy, warm night's sleep
• MUST HAVE COLD WEATHER CAMPING EQUIPMENT: Survival rated for cold temperatures--rated at -25 degrees for camping in cold to frozen conditions; Our lowest rated bag in this series can go with you anywhere
• LIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY: At TETON Sports when we say "Limited Lifetime Warranty" we mean WE'VE GOT YOUR BACK! We have an AWESOME customer service team based right here in the USA. It's service YOU CAN COUNT ON to get your products taken care of and get you back OUTDOORS; #getoutdoors with TETON Sports

[JackM-KK6WXQ]

One more picture!

Had to share this pic of the SpringBar at Camp Caruthers... It does not look like it but that place gets down below freezing and it was plenty cold when this picture was taken.

I have never had a tent that performs as well as the Springbar. I only have this because of recommendations from OAUSA friends! and I am really pleased with it.

[DaveK]

CLOTHING

Clothing choices boil down mostly to a matter of fabric choice. Unless you are striving to make a fashion statement, all that matters is performance. Since temperatures can vary somewhat during the day, layering is always a good practice. Like so much of what we discuss, this is an area where you will be well served by buying quality stuff.

When the mercury drops, your clothing requirements need to change. When it comes to the best natural fibers for cold weather clothing, it’s hard to beat wool.

Regular wool, for all of its terrific qualities, is not very comfortable, especially when it comes into contact with skin (rough and itchy). The solution to this problem is a soft and comfortable wool from the Merino sheep. Merino wool, in addition to its soft quality also is able to be machine washed and (in some cases) dried in your clothes dryer.

Two companies worth mentioning in the Merino wool market are Minus 33 (http://www.minus33.com) and Icebreakers, (http://www.icebreaker.com) Both companies sell a full line of Merino wool clothing, including caps, neck coverings, layering tops and bottoms, socks and gloves.

From the Minus 33 website

Minus 33 HDMerino wool top.jpg (93.46 KiB) Viewed 609 times

Minus 33 Balaclava.jpg (95.2 KiB) Viewed 609 times

Minus33 Merino Wool Sock.jpg (233.39 KiB) Viewed 609 times

From the Icebreaker Website

Icebreaker neck covering.jpg (76.15 KiB) Viewed 609 times

Merino Wool Sock by Icebreaker.jpg (40.58 KiB) Viewed 609 times

[DaveK]

Synthetic fiber clothing is another great choice for cold weather camping. When it comes to synthetics, polyester is at the top of the heap. One company worth mentioning here is PolarMax (http://polarmax.com/). Polar Max makes their entire line of clothing in the USA and comes with a great warranty. Among the many qualities of the Polar Max line of clothing are:

Stretches for Comfort
Wicks Moisture Away from Skin
Quick Drying
Breathes
Scent Prevent™ Anti-microbial
Comfortable Flat Seams
Won't shrink
Easy Care – Wash & Wear

One of the best qualities of their clothing (IMO), in addition to it's warmth, is it's ability to stretch. As I normally turn during the night, its nice to have thermals that do not restrict your movement !!!

From the Polar Max website ( Comp 4 Tech Fleece Crew and Heavy Weight Quattro Fleece)

Polar Max Comp 4 Tech Fleece Crew.jpg (54.6 KiB) Viewed 608 times

Polar Max Quattro Fleece Heavy Weignt.jpg (11.27 KiB) Viewed 608 times

[KAP]

Dave
Please check me in.

I would like to offer up a suggestion of a good pair of socks and a Beenie to help keep a person warm at night.

Also, it seems from the pictures, a good supply of snowballs may be in order.

Kevin
KK6DGL